Video: Israel’s attacks on UNRWA ‘historically’ unlawful – Pakistan to ICJ

‘Israel’s behaviour is therefore a threat to UN operations globally, and should be treated as such’ – Pakistani ambassador dismantles US defence of rogue state

Syed Haider Shah, speaking at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague today as Pakistan’s ambassador to the Netherlands, has comprehensively dismantled a dismal US defence of Israel’s attacks on UNRWA, the United Nations’ main aid and refugee agency for Palestinians, during the occupation’s genocide in Gaza.

Haider Shah Pakistan told the ICJ today that Israel’s attacks on UNRWA – which have been both military and legislative – are “one of the most significant” breaches of the UN’s privileges and immunities in its history – and that failure to punish Israel for its actions will give a green light to every despotic regime to prevent scrutiny by destroying the people and agencies on the ground able to report on its crimes:

Israel’s conduct towards UNRWA reflects one of the most significant breaches of the privileges and immunities of an international organization in the history of the UN. If Israel is not stopped, that conduct will become an invitation and a blueprint for governments around the world to use the power of the state to remove international scrutiny.

Israel’s behavior is therefore a threat to the UN operations globally and should be treated as such by the court.

Syed Haider Shah at the Hague.

Shah added that the assault on UNRWA and its activities is part of the genocidal regime’s “relentless persecution of the Palestinian people” and their human rights – “a stain on the fabric of international law” – and that the court must show courage and reject Israel’s and the US’s attempts to claim the court “should avoid making factual findings“, so that UNRWA can keep working to save and support the Palestinian people.

Israel, backed by the US, UK and other colluding governments, has been bombing Gaza relentlessly since the occupation engineered the collapse of the supposed ceasefire in March – and is starving the surviving population through

Watch Haider Shah’s full speech below:

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